The International Plant Biotechnology Outreach (IPBO) is a joint UGent-VIB non-profit initiative aiming to promote scientific partnerships and exchange new biotechnologies and innovations with Africa. IPBO has been selected by Ghent University's International Thematic Network program to develop an international network on Plant Biotechnology and Breeding (Plant B+B). This network will unite forty international partners, including professors from five UGent faculties, to create a robust plant biotechnology and breeding network. This network will advance scientific knowledge and responsible agricultural production.
Tackling global challenges
The negative impact of our changing world on agriculture and food production cannot be ignored. In fact, food and agriculture are an important part of the UN's 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. To ensure food security and a food production that can keep up with the growing demand, agricultural productivity needs to increase.
Prof. Dr Godelieve Gheysen, who is the network’s UGent promotor, adds: “To achieve this, agricultural systems will have to sustainably intensify. Plant breeding and plant biotechnology are key components to further develop agriculture in a world under conditions of climate change. These same technologies can help to reduce the environmental impacts of crop production.”
Uniting international partners
The Plant Biotechnology and Breeding (Plant B+B) network intends to unite international institutions’ expertise for advancing plant biotechnology and its applications. The Plant B+B network will support research for development (R4D) and international breeding programs of key crops (e.g. cassava, banana, potato, maize, legumes) for fast-tracking the release of new crop varieties that can be more nutritious and better adapted to challenging circumstances.
Building on the extensive plant biotechnology expertise of UGent and VIB's Center for Plant Systems Biology, the Plant B+B network will work towards its goals on several levels. The partners will work together to develop educational resources and enable study exchanges, facilitate joint research proposals and symposia, draft policy recommendations, and engage in outreach activities.
Through establishing a network of global partners, the Plant B+B international network will combine the expertise in many aspects of agriculture and plant breeding to tackle, together, one of the great future challenges we are facing.
Em. Prof. Dr. Marc Van Montagu (Chairman IPBO) says: "The Plant B+B network will foster the use and adoption of innovative plant breeding technologies and improved crop varieties. This, in turn, will help us to ensure food security and fight world hunger."
- Log in to post comments